NARS Famous Red, Dragon Girl, Mysterious Red Velvet Matte Lip Pencils Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Famous Red
NARS Famous Red Velvet Matte Lip Pencil ($27.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a bright medium-dark coral-red with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had rich, opaque pigmentation–might be one of the more pigmented shades in the entire line–with a slightly thicker, creamier texture. It had more substance to it than a lot of the range, which felt thinner in comparison. The color wore well for over six hours and was non-drying on me.
The formula is supposed to be “long-lasting” with “rich” and “seamless color.” The texture has a more velvety feel: smooth, thinner but glides on easily, and doesn’t have a lot of wetness/creaminess. The pigmentation varied from shade to shade with most shades having semi-opaque coverage. They were easy to apply along the lips and comfortable to apply, as they did not tug. The formula lasted anywhere from three hours to six hours, and some shades were somewhat drying and others were non-drying.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Urban Decay Tryst (P, $18.00) is darker, more muted, cooler (95% similar).
- Chanel La Favorite (43) (P, $45.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- MAC Bloombox (LE, $19.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Chanel Tentation (238) (LE, $45.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Besos (LE, $19.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- MAC La Vie En Rouge (LE, $19.00) is brighter (95% similar).
- YSL Rose Curieux (14) (P, $39.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Makeup Geek Tango (LE, $12.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Frequency (P, $22.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Superbloom (P, $10.00) is darker (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$27.00/0.08 oz. - $337.50 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be “long-lasting” with “rich” and “seamless color.” The texture has a more velvety feel: smooth, thinner but glides on easily, and doesn’t have a lot of wetness/creaminess. The pigmentation varied from shade to shade with most shades having semi-opaque coverage. They were easy to apply along the lips and comfortable to apply, as they did not tug. The formula lasted anywhere from three hours to six hours, and some shades were somewhat drying and others were non-drying.
Browse all of our NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil swatches.
Ingredients
C12-13 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate, Synthetic Candelilla Wax, Polyethylene, Caprylyl Methicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Silica, Dimethicone, Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Lecithin, Flavor (Aroma), Dicalcium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Propylparaben, Methylparaben, Anise Alcohol. [+/- (May Contain/Peut Contenir): Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Mica, Red 28 Lake (CI 45410), Red 6 (CI 15850), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140)].
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Famous Red
PPermanent. $27.00.
Dragon Girl
NARS Dragon Girl Velvet Matte Lip Pencil ($27.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a medium-dark pink-red with strong, cool undertones and a soft, matte finish. It had medium color coverage, which applied evenly, and I found it somewhat buildable and was able to achieve semi-opaque coverage with two to three layers of product. The pencil felt smooth going on and never tugged on the lips, and the drier (but not stiff) texture made it easy to get crisper lines. It wore well for over six hours and was just a touch drying.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Honey Pie (LE, $6.50) is darker (95% similar).
- MAC If Wishes Were Roses (LE, $22.00) is lighter, less pigmented (90% similar).
- Sephora Cherry Moon (94) (P, $14.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar).
- Kaleidos Cactus Flower (P, $12.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Anything Goes (P, $20.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Revlon Bread Winner (P, $12.39) is brighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Guerlain Berry Pink (721) (P, $36.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Revlon First Class (P, $12.39) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Guerlain #518 (P, $33.00) is lighter, brighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Laura Mercier Rose Vif (P, $32.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$27.00/0.08 oz. - $337.50 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be “long-lasting” with “rich” and “seamless color.” The texture has a more velvety feel: smooth, thinner but glides on easily, and doesn’t have a lot of wetness/creaminess. The pigmentation varied from shade to shade with most shades having semi-opaque coverage. They were easy to apply along the lips and comfortable to apply, as they did not tug. The formula lasted anywhere from three hours to six hours, and some shades were somewhat drying and others were non-drying.
Browse all of our NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil swatches.
Ingredients
C12-13 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate, Synthetic Candelilla Wax, Polyethylene, Caprylyl Methicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Silica, Dimethicone, Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Lecithin, Propylparaben, Methylparaben, Aroma (Flavor), Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citric Acid, Dicalcium Phosphate. May Contain: Mica, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77491 (Iron Oxides), CI 77492 (Iron Oxides), CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), CI 15850 (Red 6), CI 15850 (Red 7 Lake)
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Dragon Girl
PPermanent. $27.00.
Mysterious Red
NARS Mysterious Red Velvet Matte Lip Pencil ($27.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a medium-dark red with neutral undertones and a matte finish. It had good color coverage that applied evenly across the lips and never skipped or dragged. The texture was thin but not clingy, so it was more comfortable to wear and, ultimately, felt non-drying to me. This shade wore well for six hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Urban Decay Rock Steady (P, $18.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Makeup Geek Beauty Queen (P, $12.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- MAC Reddy to Go (P, $20.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- NARS Golshan (P, $25.00) is glossier (95% similar).
- Maybelline Dynamite Red (DC, $7.49) is lighter (95% similar).
- NARS Codie (LE, $34.00) is more muted, glossier (95% similar).
- MAC Wild Memories (LE, $19.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop TGIF (LE, $7.00) is warmer, glossier (85% similar).
- Makeup Geek Flamenco (LE, $12.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- MAC Feels So Grand (P, $21.00) is cooler (95% similar).
Formula Overview
$27.00/0.08 oz. - $337.50 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be “long-lasting” with “rich” and “seamless color.” The texture has a more velvety feel: smooth, thinner but glides on easily, and doesn’t have a lot of wetness/creaminess. The pigmentation varied from shade to shade with most shades having semi-opaque coverage. They were easy to apply along the lips and comfortable to apply, as they did not tug. The formula lasted anywhere from three hours to six hours, and some shades were somewhat drying and others were non-drying.
Browse all of our NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil swatches.
Ingredients
C12-13 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate, Synthetic Candelilla Wax, Polyethylene, Caprylyl Methicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Silica, Dimethicone, Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Lecithin, Flavor (Aroma), Dicalcium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Propylparaben, Methylparaben, Anise Alcohol. [+/- (May Contain/Peut Contenir): Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Mica, Red 28 Lake (CI 45410), Red 6 (CI 15850), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140)].
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
I really like the look of Famous Red (also looking at the dupes, I want to check out Nars Grace), but I’ll definitely have to try it out in person – corals are a tricky colour for me, so many clash horribly, but I’ve had much better luck with red corals than orange/pink leaning ones.
I also want to pick up Nyx Bloody Mary now that my Dragon Girl pencil is getting quite short – really useful to know it looks so similar!
Grace is a great choice if you prefer something more hydrating/with more slip!
It’s amazing how skin tone can alter the difference of a color. I’m very fair, so Dragon Girl looks quite a bit darker on me, and my body chemistry tends to turn a blue-based color even bluer. On you, it looks so much brighter and lighter. I think DG is a touch too dry for my liking, but that’s okay, because I finish it off with a color like Nars New Lover, which lightens it a bit for me, and gives it a more comfortable slip. Anyway, you’re very lucky to have so many lip colors that look good on you. I’m envious, lol!
Thank you, Anne! 🙂 I feel like Dragon Girl differs a bit from year to year – like it’s always blue based but sometimes appears deeper or lighter, very blue or just moderate blueness!
All very gorgeous reds! I have super close dupes for both Mysterious Red : UD Bad Blood and MAC Russian Red, and also for Famous Red: MAC La Vie En Rouge. BUT, nothing in my stash for Dragon Girl! Yet. Nyx Bloody Mary looks mighty nice, and MAC RubyWoo has been on my radar forever. ?
Ruby Woo would be a better value, since it is a traditional lipstick! And it has a way nicer texture now than it did years ago, lol!
Ruby Woo for the win! I’ve waited long enough (5-6 years?).
Own and love both Dragon Girl and Mysterious Red. Wear both frequently.
They are very pretty colors!
Both Dragon Girl and Mysterious Red are screaming my name. I think Famous Red is a bit too bright for me, and it wouldn’t be right for my skintone. I still would like to try it on though.
Loving Dragon Girl. I figured Gloshan was a dupe for Mysterious Red, hurray for me, I know stuff.